Preview: Burton Albion (A)

Nottingham Forest aim to stop a run of three straight league defeats when they travel to Burton Albion in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday.

The Reds suffered a morale-sapping loss to Hull City last time out but make the short journey to Staffordshire knowing that victory could breathe new life into their campaign.

New signings Ben Watson, Tobias Figueiredo and Lee Tomlin could all start the game at the Pirelli Stadium as manager Aitor Karanka tries to freshen up his side and pick up all three points against the struggling Brewers.

Burton currently sit bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table but picked up a point in an encouraging 0-0 draw at Ipswich Town last weekend and will be aiming for victory as they return to home turf.

Nigel Clough is expected to have club-record signing Liam Boyce available following his return from knee surgery as The Brewers attempt to win for the first time since a 3-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday on New Year's Day.

Team news

Forest boss Aitor Karanka hinted that he may make changes to the side in the wake of last weekend's defeat to Hull City with Ben Watson, Tobias Figueiredo and Lee Tomlin all pushing for starts.

Tom Flanagan (calf) is out for Burton, while John Brayford and Lloyd Dyer are also nursing knocks, but club record signing Liam Boyce is edging closer to a first league start following knee surgery.

From the opposition

Nigel Clough says his Burton Albion players must be brave and seize the initiative in the early stages of the clash with Forest at the Pirelli Stadium.

“Having the most possession in the last two games should give the players confidence.

“It’s about putting that onto our own pitch now but it’s a different way of playing, you can’t just sit back and look to break on people as if they sit back there is nowhere for you to break so we will try and take the initiative if we can.

“We want more shots, more crosses. The players get shots off in training but there can be a reluctance on a Saturday as there are points at stake and no-one wants to make a mistake."

One to watch - Lloyd Dyer

Lloyd Dyer has scored five times from midfield this season including in Burton's crucial victories over Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday.

At the age of 35, the former Leicester City man may be approaching the later days of his career but he still has a trick and a turn of pace that can worry any defence in the Sky Bet Championship.

Dyer will be expected to create opportunities for the likes of Darren Bent and Lucas Akins but is more than capable of chipping in with a goal himself as The Brewers look for vital points in their quest for survival.

Last visit

Tickets

Tickets for Nottingham Forest's game at Burton Albion are sold out.

Coverage

The match will be broadcast live on iFollow Forest for international subscribers, with audio commentary also available.

There will also be full coverage via the club's official social media channels and in the Match Centre.

Burton 0-0 Forest

Ten-man Nottingham Forest battled their way to a point against Burton Albion in the Sky Bet Championship this afternoon.

The dismissal of Eric Lichaj in the first half had left The Reds in the lurch but a resolute defensive display kept The Brewers at bay and ensured a point and a clean sheet headed back to Nottingham.

Aitor Karanka made six changes to the side, with Ben Watson handed his first start for The Reds and was given the captain's armband. Tobias Figueiredo and Joe Lolley were also named in the starting line-up for the first time along with Lee Tomlin, Ben Brereton and Tendayi Darikwa.

The visitors made a lively start to the match and tested Stephen Bywater early on. Matty Cash delivered a cross from the left which was met by Lolley on the volley but his effort was well saved.

But their postive start took a hit as just before the half-hour mark The Reds were reduced to ten men when Lichaj was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Martin Samuelsen.

With the extra man, Burton began to control the match with Samuelsen at the fore. The winger went close in the closing stages of the first half as he volleyed an effort straight at Costel Pantilimon from 12 yards out.

The second half continued in similar fashion with the home side on the front foot and The Reds content to soak up the pressure. Hope Akpan volleyed over from the edge of the box and moments later Darren Bent shoudl have done better as he headed over when well-placed in the middle of the box.

Samuelsen again tested the Forest stopper with 20 minutes left on the clock as his effort from the edge of the area was tipped around the post by the Romanian, and Danny Fox came to the rescue on 73 to throw himself at Bent's effort after the striker had time to control and get a shot away inside the area.

Panitlimon again came to the rescue as he clawed away a teasing cross from substitute Joe Sbarra on 84 which looked set for the bottom corner as the pressure mounted on the Forest goal.

Despite the home side's dominance, the visitors nearly stole all three points in the final 10 minutes as a surging break through the middle by Tomlin eventually led to Darikwa unleashing a right-footed effort from distance that skimmed the post.

But the elusive goal failed to materialise for either side as the points were shared at the Pirelli.